Australia captain Pat Cummins on Thursday heaped praise on India talisman Jasprit Bumrah and said the 31-year-old is “always tough” against opponents. Although ultimately defeated, Bumrah once again showed his charm with the ball. In the first innings of the Melbourne Test, when Australia was in complete control of the match, he struck three consecutive knocks to pull India back into the field. Even in the second innings, Bumrah lived up to expectations and ended the match with figures of 9/156. Bumrah is now the highest run-scorer in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy with 30 scalps at an average of 12.83.
Cummins said at the pre-match press conference that Bumrah is bowling well so far. The skipper also hopes Bumrah will be without fuel when he takes the field in the Sydney Test match. The Australian all-rounder added that Indian pacers always pose a challenge. “There’s no doubt he’s bowling well now, he’s always tough. Hopefully by the time I come in he’s already in his groove and he’s bowled a lot and that makes it a little easier for me. He’s already Well, so I’ve played against him all over the world in different formats, but he’s always presented a challenge,” Cummins said.
According to the ICC, Australia have surprisingly included 31-year-old Beau Webster, who will make his debut in the Sydney Test, in the eleven, while all-rounder Mitchell Marsh excluded. Webster will become Australia’s third player to make his debut in the ongoing series, after Sam Constas and Nathan McSweeney. Australia defeated India by 184 runs in the Melbourne Test to take a 2-1 lead in the series and also ended India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s early next year. Currently, Australia leads India 2-1 in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy match.
Australia will face India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) final on January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Australia XI: Sam Constaz, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex ·Carey (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Bolan.